First weekend of the play down

Well I can officially say I have one weekend under my belt regarding the play. I enjoyed it overall. It was a bit more nerve-wracking than the first night but its over now. In retrospect I preferred the first night. I have seen more than I wanted to behind the scenes, for now anyway. I am marking the calendar for the last day of the play next weekend. It sounds worse then it was I suppose. I guess we can chalk that up to exhaustion. I like this character overall. I like the freedom to make it a little of my own in certain ways but I dont like certain paths I see it possibly taking. Therein lies the problem. Only God knows where this will take me, if anywhere. I am curious.

  This weekend was soo very busy for us. Besides Sydney's birthday, there was also her soccer game (which they won!), my brother, Frank's, promotion, two more plays & church. Our friend was a super blessing and cooked dinner for the family Saturday! Boy was she hearing God! So thankful for friends like that. I am so glad we are a homeschooling family. We will be taking part in the 'mommy savings time' very similar to 'daylight savings time', and get an extra hour of sleep in the morning. On the docket for Monday; Call for house insurance quotes (always fun) school, prepare notes for a parenting class on Tuesday and try to repair the computer via though a telephone troubleshooter (sigh...). Well I will take it all in stride. Until next time...

The Play night 1

Well the first night of the play was hilarious. There were missed lines, costume malfunctions and the always funny, people tripping over props to entertain us. I and a co-star found it funnier then the playwright would've liked but I really couldn't help it. It was just too comical. I know nerves were a little raw but I figure its your first night, things are going to happen. I think we will really be on our game tonight! Ill let you know after the weekend is over. Two shows left this weekend. Next week is on to another city. Oh, I did great, if I do say so myself! No missed lines or wardrobe malfunctions for me!

In other news my sweet beautiful daughter turned 10 yesterday. Needless to say it was quite an eventful day. She was at my hip for the majority of it which is just how she [has always] liked it. We did our celebratory birthday lunch, did a little shopping then the play, and dessert. Busy busy busy. I love it. I need a chauffeur. I truly don't like driving... But I digress.

Today is Sydney's soccer game, my brothers military promotion and night 2 of the play. This weekend is going to fly by. I will try to squeeze in a birthday cake somewhere today for Syd. Time didn't allow for it yesterday. My hubby has so many people coming to the play that in honestly considering having him be my 'agent' in all this! He's an awesome promoter! That's what comes of being a well liked people person.

Well other than the baby getting his first two teeth (insert hesitant smile) my news update is done. Oh, do you like that pic? Birthday girl and 'Mabel' on my first night! Break a leg right?

The Crandles ep.1

Well, time is drawing near for my first performance in a theatre stage. Three more days till I play an older woman who, at one point, goes toe to toe with a shady preacher. I hope it is as fun on stage as it is fun practicing. It still doesn't really seem real. I keep waiting for something to happen that makes us have to cancel. I'm pretty sure someone will say that's 'bad luck' but its true. I got the wig today and ill get the rest of the props tomorrow. I will be sure to update you when the time comes.
I am still at a, partial, loss of what to do with the baby when we go out of town next week for the play. He is doing better and better when left with a bottle and Ronni but the question is can I actually leave him for a minimum of 6 hrs for 3 days?? Just writing it seems harsh. I went through all the trouble of getting donor milk, which he absolutely refuses, and I am downing fenugreek and choc chip, oatmeal, walnut lactation cookies (oh the sacrifices we make as mothers right?) to increase my supply but in the end I can produce as much milk as Foremost but if he doesn't drink it its no use. My play director doesn't seem to share the concern overall but it's my child so I can't make her see it from my perspective. I am more curious about next week than I am about the play itself. The Lord will work it all out.
Well the 9 yr old sprained her toe and had to miss soccer practice tonight which was ok because they cancelled it due to pending bad weather (which hasn't shown up yet, btw). The coach and I want her to baby the foot anyway so she can be well for the game on Saturday. She is so into this and was devastated at the thought of missing practice but it all worked out in the end. Praise God.

The handwritten menu

Here is the original handwritten menu for April since the file refuses to cooperate. No it's not 'operator error'! Ok maybe it is. At any rate you will have to take this one until its resolved. I will use another method for May's menu. Suggestions welcomed.

Building memories

Well it has only taken my husband 13 years but it looks like I may be submitting to country ways after all. Last night we enjoyed a lovely bonfire with some friends and as is customary for country people, I hear, we met more people. It was very nice. The kids had an awesome time which was an added bonus. Even the baby was quite tolerant, which was great seeing how sleepy he was. I think by the time we got home and settled down in bed it was about 11:30p. He likes to be in bed somewhere around 7p, yikes! It's ok though he made me pay dearly for it by giving me as little sleep as possible.
We went to church today and went for a long leisurely boat ride with a few more friends. I even got to drive the boat for a while! It was a bit chilly on the water but with my main man there blocking the wind it was comfortable. I told them when it gets hotter I would live to go again, and it WILL get hotter. We grilled sausages, relaxed and just enjoyed each others company. It was very nice!
I recapped all of that to point out Gods gifts of great friends and awesome memories with them as well. I know we will have many more times of smiles and laughter. I'm so thankful.

My Sweet girl

Well today was The 9 yr olds first soccer game. She was admittedly nervous but did phenomenal despite it! They lost but you couldn't tell for all of the great sportsmanship! Great game all around. Her beloved Uncle Frank was on attendance, which made the day all the more special for her. I love having family days like this. I know I should just enjoy the moment but at times I stop and think what it will be like when they're all grown and gone. No sadness just curiosity... Ok maybe a little sadness.
Still working on uploading that menu. I tried to no avail, several times yesterday. I will try again today. Just don't want you to think I forgot. Oh, all of this menu planning has me looking to fill May's menu ahead of time. Just a preliminary menu of sorts. We she see.

Blog Repentance

I have decided to get more focused on the blog lately. So much has happened in my life since I have last logged on (both good and bad) that it should make for pretty interesting topics for a few entries at least.
   My beloved father died on March 20, 2012. I was pregnant at the time and as death often is, it was hard. I am a certified daddy's girl and I just never thought of life without him. It didn't help that I was pregnant AND that the baby was due on his birthday. I do take solace in him knowing that before he died though. I loved him so much and miss him greatly. It was my first real time dealing with death. My grandmother died a few years back but I knew she had lived a full live. My dad, as far as I was concerned, was not supposed to die. He just wasn't. I could go on forever but I wont.
    I had a baby boy, Carson, who is now 6 months old. Time to update the blog photo right? Later. While I was pregnant with C I had so many dreams about how he would look and act, etc. It was right on point. Often times he looks like my dad, which is quite eerie and comforting at the same time. We just love having this 'little' man around and he loves being doted on so it all works out. I an still exclusively breastfeeding which is good for me because with the other kids I had already started supplementing (mainly because I had returned to work but I am not working now so no need to). It seems that this child it so different from the others. I almost felt like a first time mom again. I had to ask questions to some of the simplest things when he was a newborn. We have gotten int a routine of sorts now so things are better. I am still homeschooling the kids. We are to start Classical Conversations this fall. If you have never heard of it their site Classicalconversations.com is awesome. Feel free to ask me questions but be forewarned, I am new to it. I have been interested in, and intimidated by, the classical method of education for some time now. I just didn't know all that I needed to know to be comfortable with using it. I think this will transition us into it nicely. We are all excited.
 I also have a bit of news that may throw some of you for a loop ( it did me). I have started acting. I know, I know 'where did that come from' right? I asked the same question.Through a suggestion from my brother's, now ex, girlfriend, I auditioned for and got the part in a play. It's local community theater but were traveling to another venue the following week. It's a bit exciting and a bit scary. I have never had any desire to act but its fun and as long as it does not take over my duties an wife and mom it can stay. Beyond that and it's gone. More on it later. I am getting better at running the household more efficiently. I have put together a menu for the entire month!! That was a short term goal of mine! I will post it and the sources later. If you have not discovered Pinterest by now do so! I highly the recommend it. Now know this- it is highly addictive. It has certainly helped with my mission to get better organized.
Oh, for the record I have not only kept the weight off I spoke of previously but since having the baby and exclusively breast feeding I have dropped more weight. I am 15lbs less than I was before I got pregnant! Awesome eh?!
There I have given you a brief update. I will go into details later. Stay tuned!